Have you heard the jokes about how your parenting changes with each successive child? They're not only funny, they're actually pretty truthful a lot of the time. There are many of them, but I'll just give you two here to get you started.
Pregnancy with child #1: you go splurge on a whole wardrobe of maternity clothes the moment you have a confirmed pregnancy.
Pregnancy with child #2, you just "got your body back," so you wear regular clothes as long as possible before you have to start wearing maternity clothes.
Pregnancy with child #3, your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.
Child #1: If pacifier gets dropped on the ground, you re-sanitize it by boiling it in distilled water.
Child #2: Dropped pacifier gets rinsed in water before getting returned to baby.
Child #3: Mom pops the pacifier in her own mouth to wash it off before returning it to baby.
There are tons more of these scenarios, but tonight, I created one of my own.
Child #1: You spend weeks planning out their birthday cakes, and have everything on hand to create a darling cake just right for your toddler. It takes a great deal of time to remix frosting to get to the perfect color shades you were attempting, but you know it's worth it.
Child #2: You remember a few days before their birthday to get a cake mix and frosting tubs to tint...and if no creative idea strikes you, you just use the same cake design you used for child #1.
Child #3: What a shame...too many drops of food coloring, and the cake looks like it's been frosted with Pepto Bismol. Hmm...some white trim here would balance it out. I could mix up more frosting and dig out the decorator tips, or, let's see...I have a decorater can of blue leftover from a friend's baby shower. That'll do.
I'll post pics tomorrow of Anna with her cake...it's a doozy. Sorry sweetie, you're number 3. I promise it doesn't mean I love you any less.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
Happy Birthday, Anna!
Anna's first weeks...
A few months old, and your personality was starting to peek through!
At one year old, you were already full of fun!
And now just look at you...turning into quite the little lady!
I can hardly believe that the little baby in these pictures is two years old today. Anna, I can remember clearly the day, months before you were born, that we found out that you were going to be a girl. A girl? Girls like dolls and lace and pretty hair bows. I had boys who like dirt and trucks and loud noises...a world with which I was both familiar and comfortable. It took some time to adjust to the thought that you were going to be a girl, one who might like girl stuff.
Anna, on the day that you were born, I was so excited to finally meet you. I had been dreaming of what you would be like, what you would look like. I always imagined that you would have blond curly hair, and that you would look like your brothers, only prettier, of course. And while you did look like your brothers, you certainly didn't have blond curly hair...you had delightfully fluffy "stick up in the air" hair for a long time! And you were just perfect for us.
I was so at peace the moment I laid eyes on you. For a while it bothered me that, although I cried with joy and relief at seeing your brothers for the first time, I didn't cry when I first held you. (Though I dare say I'm crying now...you'd think you were headed off to college or getting married or something...when you've merely reached the ripe old age of two)! But now it doesn't bother me at all, because I know that the moment we met, we were simply peaceful and contented with each other.
You have been completely and utterly adored by your brothers (besides from mommy and daddy, of course) from the moment you were born. Oh, your brothers! They love you intensely, and still love to get hugs and kisses from you. But now that you're two, there are some times that you don't want to give out hugs and kisses...and oh, how it makes them sad when you do your own thing! But, they're getting used to the fact that you are, undoubtedly, your own person.
Anna Joy, you are certainly living up to your name well. Anna means "gracious", and you are truly a gracious gift to us and to all who know you...and a continual source of joy. Already, you love to laugh and giggle! Just tonight you spent 20 minutes playing peek-a-boo under your blanket, and giggling furiously while calling for Mama to come find you!
If I had to pick one thing that I think is your favorite, it would hands-down be "playing outside." You love being outside, whether we're swinging and sliding on the swing set, riding bikes, or feeding the chickens...you want to be part of it all, if it's happening outside! You are also an animal-lover. You show no trepidation around Sophie, even though she's eye-to-eye with you. You love being with the goats, and now the chickens are right up on your list, too. You're very gentle and loving, though you can get pretty stern in scolding Sophie!
Inside, you love to read books and color. Your first sentence, months ago, was "Mama, 'ead dis book me?" You do very well with coloring, and have to be coloring while we do school work at the table. You read and sing to yourself, and you also love your baby. You do such a great job taking care of your baby, (except when I tell you that she can't go outside with us...then she gets pitched on the floor right then and there)! I'll never forget the time, several months ago, when you came out of your room with your baby's spoon and bowl. You came to me and asked "Where baby? Baby 'ungy!" As soon as you found her, you sat her up in her stroller to feed her!
Anna, you are also tremendously sweet! You give the biggest hugs, and share them with everyone! You greet your friends exuberantly, with a giggle and a Hi! with their name. That's not to say that you don't have a ferocious side, most often exhibited when 1. Your brothers have a toy that you feel entitled to (sometimes rightly, sometimes not so much!) or 2. When you are told you can't go outside, even when you've already gone to the trouble to put on your puddle boots!
I don't know that I can even begin to record the words you know...you're talking more and more in sentences from week to week. One of your most-often repeated words are 'ung-y! (hungry) Out'ide (outside). Bru ehs (brothers). Fofoo (Sophie). You generally don't put the ending sounds on your words...but at least you're consistent, and knowing that makes it much easier to understand you!
We still don't know how to handle you and your thumb...you've been pretty attached to it since you were three days old! Despite my best attempts at getting you to take numerous kinds of pacifiers, you refused even then to budge from your thumb. Maybe this will be the year, okay? :)
And yes, you do like pretty things (you say "pretty" without the /r/ or the /t/), you like fancy dresses, and even mama likes doing your hair and putting in pretty hair bows. See how easily you've changed me so much? That's not to say that you don't like your brothers' trucks, and even have some of your own. But you are my little girl, and I love you in a way that I can't begin to describe or portray. I am so proud of the little girl you are becoming...and though it makes my heart ache to see growing up, I am so excited to see all that Jesus will do in and through you, even when you are still young. Happy birthday, my sweet *baby* girl. I love you.
A few months old, and your personality was starting to peek through!
At one year old, you were already full of fun!
And now just look at you...turning into quite the little lady!
I can hardly believe that the little baby in these pictures is two years old today. Anna, I can remember clearly the day, months before you were born, that we found out that you were going to be a girl. A girl? Girls like dolls and lace and pretty hair bows. I had boys who like dirt and trucks and loud noises...a world with which I was both familiar and comfortable. It took some time to adjust to the thought that you were going to be a girl, one who might like girl stuff.
Anna, on the day that you were born, I was so excited to finally meet you. I had been dreaming of what you would be like, what you would look like. I always imagined that you would have blond curly hair, and that you would look like your brothers, only prettier, of course. And while you did look like your brothers, you certainly didn't have blond curly hair...you had delightfully fluffy "stick up in the air" hair for a long time! And you were just perfect for us.
I was so at peace the moment I laid eyes on you. For a while it bothered me that, although I cried with joy and relief at seeing your brothers for the first time, I didn't cry when I first held you. (Though I dare say I'm crying now...you'd think you were headed off to college or getting married or something...when you've merely reached the ripe old age of two)! But now it doesn't bother me at all, because I know that the moment we met, we were simply peaceful and contented with each other.
You have been completely and utterly adored by your brothers (besides from mommy and daddy, of course) from the moment you were born. Oh, your brothers! They love you intensely, and still love to get hugs and kisses from you. But now that you're two, there are some times that you don't want to give out hugs and kisses...and oh, how it makes them sad when you do your own thing! But, they're getting used to the fact that you are, undoubtedly, your own person.
Anna Joy, you are certainly living up to your name well. Anna means "gracious", and you are truly a gracious gift to us and to all who know you...and a continual source of joy. Already, you love to laugh and giggle! Just tonight you spent 20 minutes playing peek-a-boo under your blanket, and giggling furiously while calling for Mama to come find you!
If I had to pick one thing that I think is your favorite, it would hands-down be "playing outside." You love being outside, whether we're swinging and sliding on the swing set, riding bikes, or feeding the chickens...you want to be part of it all, if it's happening outside! You are also an animal-lover. You show no trepidation around Sophie, even though she's eye-to-eye with you. You love being with the goats, and now the chickens are right up on your list, too. You're very gentle and loving, though you can get pretty stern in scolding Sophie!
Inside, you love to read books and color. Your first sentence, months ago, was "Mama, 'ead dis book me?" You do very well with coloring, and have to be coloring while we do school work at the table. You read and sing to yourself, and you also love your baby. You do such a great job taking care of your baby, (except when I tell you that she can't go outside with us...then she gets pitched on the floor right then and there)! I'll never forget the time, several months ago, when you came out of your room with your baby's spoon and bowl. You came to me and asked "Where baby? Baby 'ungy!" As soon as you found her, you sat her up in her stroller to feed her!
Anna, you are also tremendously sweet! You give the biggest hugs, and share them with everyone! You greet your friends exuberantly, with a giggle and a Hi! with their name. That's not to say that you don't have a ferocious side, most often exhibited when 1. Your brothers have a toy that you feel entitled to (sometimes rightly, sometimes not so much!) or 2. When you are told you can't go outside, even when you've already gone to the trouble to put on your puddle boots!
I don't know that I can even begin to record the words you know...you're talking more and more in sentences from week to week. One of your most-often repeated words are 'ung-y! (hungry) Out'ide (outside). Bru ehs (brothers). Fofoo (Sophie). You generally don't put the ending sounds on your words...but at least you're consistent, and knowing that makes it much easier to understand you!
We still don't know how to handle you and your thumb...you've been pretty attached to it since you were three days old! Despite my best attempts at getting you to take numerous kinds of pacifiers, you refused even then to budge from your thumb. Maybe this will be the year, okay? :)
And yes, you do like pretty things (you say "pretty" without the /r/ or the /t/), you like fancy dresses, and even mama likes doing your hair and putting in pretty hair bows. See how easily you've changed me so much? That's not to say that you don't like your brothers' trucks, and even have some of your own. But you are my little girl, and I love you in a way that I can't begin to describe or portray. I am so proud of the little girl you are becoming...and though it makes my heart ache to see growing up, I am so excited to see all that Jesus will do in and through you, even when you are still young. Happy birthday, my sweet *baby* girl. I love you.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Goat fence preparations!
After a long winter in tight quarters, the goats finally have an outdoor pasture to browse! They actually have two very nice indoor stalls that can be partly opened for fresh air, but moving to the new place in the middle of winter prevented creating an outdoor area for them. But, during the first week of May after the snow was gone and the ground thawed a little bit, up went the fence!
Andrew was a great helper, bringing the fence posts to Mark as Mark pounded them in, and then later helped Mark and I haul away the stack of wood that was in their area.
Before we put the fencing around the posts, we rolled a huge spool into the area...even Jacob got in on the work! These big cable spools are coveted among goat owners as climbing toys...and there were three of them just sitting up by the barn! So we just rolled them down the driveway and into the spot we wanted them!
In the video clip, Jacob is (I think) attempting a count-down and blast-off...he has never had so much fun helping around the farm!
Andrew was a great helper, bringing the fence posts to Mark as Mark pounded them in, and then later helped Mark and I haul away the stack of wood that was in their area.
Before we put the fencing around the posts, we rolled a huge spool into the area...even Jacob got in on the work! These big cable spools are coveted among goat owners as climbing toys...and there were three of them just sitting up by the barn! So we just rolled them down the driveway and into the spot we wanted them!
In the video clip, Jacob is (I think) attempting a count-down and blast-off...he has never had so much fun helping around the farm!
More theology...
Lately, Jacob has been trying to get his mind around the reality of God and the concept of the Trinity. In various forms, he'll ask us every few days how we know God is real, and if Jesus and God are the same. We have really good discussions, and I encourage them to ask questions and I try to give the explanations a little differently each time to help round out his understanding.
We also studies the 10 Commandments a few months ago, and Andrew knows them extremely well. So I was quite impressed when, after telling Jacob the names of each part of the Trinity, Andrew piped up right away, asking "Do we worship all three of them?" I assured him that even though they have three names and three jobs, they are all one God.
(So who can be the first person to tell me which commandment we would be breaking if we did worship three different gods? There might be a prize at stake...).
At any rate, Jacob wrapped up our bedtime theological discussion last night with this question:
Mom, what color is God's beard?
We also studies the 10 Commandments a few months ago, and Andrew knows them extremely well. So I was quite impressed when, after telling Jacob the names of each part of the Trinity, Andrew piped up right away, asking "Do we worship all three of them?" I assured him that even though they have three names and three jobs, they are all one God.
(So who can be the first person to tell me which commandment we would be breaking if we did worship three different gods? There might be a prize at stake...).
At any rate, Jacob wrapped up our bedtime theological discussion last night with this question:
Mom, what color is God's beard?
Monday, June 01, 2009
Fun Friday!
Last Friday, the kids and I had a fantastically fun Friday!
It started out with meeting this amazing guy here...
...at the playground in town on his lunch hour!
Lots of fun was had by all!
It started out with meeting this amazing guy here...
...at the playground in town on his lunch hour!
Lots of fun was had by all!
Take...11
How many attempts does a mom take at getting the perfect group shot?
In this case, 11...only the 1st and last pic are repeated!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Modern Day Miracle
These are Jacob's hands.
Can you tell which one was, just 4 hours prior to this picture, completely closed in our power sliding van door?
As in, three of his fingers on one hand were in the door when it pulled itself closed, no gaps left.
Not just partly closed because there were fingers in the way.
I mean completely shut, while a poor little boy stood there and screamed in pain, unable to free his hand.
He was getting in the van after church, (not being completely obedient or cooperative), when this happened. I immediately ran him back into church for ice both on top and underneath his poor, purple creased fingers. There were several folks still hanging around after church, and many prayers were offered on the spot!
We got everyone loaded up to head home...and since he screamed in pain with trying to bend his fingers for me, we confirmed our plan to take him in for xrays. We dashed home, bringing dear Rose along with us to stay with Andrew and Anna. Jacob could not stop crying, pitifully moaning about his hand hurting. Halfway to town (30 miles to the ER), he finally calmed down and actually fell sound asleep.
We arrived at the hospital, and as Mark went to get him out of the van, we realized he was using his hand freely to unbuckle his seatbelt. And as we walked through the hospital doors, we asked him to wiggle his fingers and to make a fist...which he did without trouble.
The nurses were waiting just inside the door, grinning at the scene unfolding before them (one of the nurses is our friend Lynne, who attends church with us when not on duty in the ER!). "I see we have some deliberations going," one quipped. They looked at his hand, had him move it a bit, and even offered him some stickers, which he quickly took...using the hand that had been injured. Within 3 minutes we were all in agreement-his hand was fine.
After a stop for a hot dog and a dairy-free smoothie for Jacob, we were headed home. While we had been gone, Mark's parents had called, and Rose let them know what was going on. We called as soon as we got home to let them know that all was well...and then got a bit of "the rest of the story." On Thursday night, Mark's mom had been woken suddenly from a sound sleep by her dream...her dream that a boy was getting his hand slammed in a car door. She had assumed she was fearful of something happening to Ethan, our 3 year old nephew whom they were taking camping the next day. So, she prayed for protection.
I will never grasp how God works...but I am grateful all the same for his miraculous power. I know there is no way that my boy's skinny little fingers would not have been smashed by the power door...I know there is no way that we experienced today was anything less than a miracle.
UPDATE (or "epilogue" may be more appropriate):
When I was tucking Jacob in to bed tonight, I hugged him and told him that I was so thankful that God had healed his hand for him. He quickly corrected me that it wasn't God who had done it, it was Jesus. And then he added, "But the next time I do that it will be God's turn to make it better." Thankfully he agreed with me that he should never do that again, despite his great faith!
Can you tell which one was, just 4 hours prior to this picture, completely closed in our power sliding van door?
As in, three of his fingers on one hand were in the door when it pulled itself closed, no gaps left.
Not just partly closed because there were fingers in the way.
I mean completely shut, while a poor little boy stood there and screamed in pain, unable to free his hand.
He was getting in the van after church, (not being completely obedient or cooperative), when this happened. I immediately ran him back into church for ice both on top and underneath his poor, purple creased fingers. There were several folks still hanging around after church, and many prayers were offered on the spot!
We got everyone loaded up to head home...and since he screamed in pain with trying to bend his fingers for me, we confirmed our plan to take him in for xrays. We dashed home, bringing dear Rose along with us to stay with Andrew and Anna. Jacob could not stop crying, pitifully moaning about his hand hurting. Halfway to town (30 miles to the ER), he finally calmed down and actually fell sound asleep.
We arrived at the hospital, and as Mark went to get him out of the van, we realized he was using his hand freely to unbuckle his seatbelt. And as we walked through the hospital doors, we asked him to wiggle his fingers and to make a fist...which he did without trouble.
The nurses were waiting just inside the door, grinning at the scene unfolding before them (one of the nurses is our friend Lynne, who attends church with us when not on duty in the ER!). "I see we have some deliberations going," one quipped. They looked at his hand, had him move it a bit, and even offered him some stickers, which he quickly took...using the hand that had been injured. Within 3 minutes we were all in agreement-his hand was fine.
After a stop for a hot dog and a dairy-free smoothie for Jacob, we were headed home. While we had been gone, Mark's parents had called, and Rose let them know what was going on. We called as soon as we got home to let them know that all was well...and then got a bit of "the rest of the story." On Thursday night, Mark's mom had been woken suddenly from a sound sleep by her dream...her dream that a boy was getting his hand slammed in a car door. She had assumed she was fearful of something happening to Ethan, our 3 year old nephew whom they were taking camping the next day. So, she prayed for protection.
I will never grasp how God works...but I am grateful all the same for his miraculous power. I know there is no way that my boy's skinny little fingers would not have been smashed by the power door...I know there is no way that we experienced today was anything less than a miracle.
UPDATE (or "epilogue" may be more appropriate):
When I was tucking Jacob in to bed tonight, I hugged him and told him that I was so thankful that God had healed his hand for him. He quickly corrected me that it wasn't God who had done it, it was Jesus. And then he added, "But the next time I do that it will be God's turn to make it better." Thankfully he agreed with me that he should never do that again, despite his great faith!
En guarde!
The boys claim they were reenacting some part of an Adventure in Odyssey.
To me, it looks more like they're part of some "Red Guard Troupe."
And they are ready, willing, and able to protect their sister from come-what-may!
From my perspective, that's a good thing! :)
To me, it looks more like they're part of some "Red Guard Troupe."
And they are ready, willing, and able to protect their sister from come-what-may!
From my perspective, that's a good thing! :)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Who would have thought?
Guess what my baby girl did two weeks ago. Can you see it?
It's blurry, but still obvious in the close up! Yes, my "dainty little girl" fell face-first off her ride-on toy, and broke her tooth. She cried a bit, bled a tad, and had the piece of tooth swallowed before I could even tell what she had on her tongue!
Our dentist made time to see her that afternoon, and after determining that there weren't any exposed nerves, referred us to a pediatric dentist in Anch. In the meantime, it doesn't seem to be bothering her one iota, so if fixing it is going to be traumatic, we'll just wait three years for it to fall out...I'll keep you posted on that front.
And who would have thought this would happen to Anna? I would have put a stunt like this happening to Jacob years ago!
It's blurry, but still obvious in the close up! Yes, my "dainty little girl" fell face-first off her ride-on toy, and broke her tooth. She cried a bit, bled a tad, and had the piece of tooth swallowed before I could even tell what she had on her tongue!
Our dentist made time to see her that afternoon, and after determining that there weren't any exposed nerves, referred us to a pediatric dentist in Anch. In the meantime, it doesn't seem to be bothering her one iota, so if fixing it is going to be traumatic, we'll just wait three years for it to fall out...I'll keep you posted on that front.
And who would have thought this would happen to Anna? I would have put a stunt like this happening to Jacob years ago!
The things they say...
All the way around, my kids are sounding too grown up...
Andrew was commenting the other day about what someone had done, and used a phrase I've heard him use before.
"That was impressive!"
Jacob was trying to decide what color flosser to use the other night, (for his teeth, unlike this post), and asked me
"Mom, which would you prefer?"
And last but not least...
Over a month ago now, I had just taken a picture of Anna and Jacob together. Being children of the digital age, they of course wanted to see the picture right away. So I turned the camera around to show Anna, and she immediately pipes up 'dat's me! I then raise the camera to Jacob's eye level to show him, and he also, of course says "And that's me!" Her response?
She backhanded him in the chest and adamantly said "No, 'dat's me!"
*These pictures have absolutely nothing to do with the stories. The post would have been strictly text, but who wants to waste a post on text when there are perfectly good pictures to share? :)
Andrew was commenting the other day about what someone had done, and used a phrase I've heard him use before.
"That was impressive!"
Jacob was trying to decide what color flosser to use the other night, (for his teeth, unlike this post), and asked me
"Mom, which would you prefer?"
And last but not least...
Over a month ago now, I had just taken a picture of Anna and Jacob together. Being children of the digital age, they of course wanted to see the picture right away. So I turned the camera around to show Anna, and she immediately pipes up 'dat's me! I then raise the camera to Jacob's eye level to show him, and he also, of course says "And that's me!" Her response?
She backhanded him in the chest and adamantly said "No, 'dat's me!"
*These pictures have absolutely nothing to do with the stories. The post would have been strictly text, but who wants to waste a post on text when there are perfectly good pictures to share? :)
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Kindra's Birthday!
The last week of April, we celebrated my dear friend Kindra's birthday! She's only a whopping 5 months older than I am, but it's enough to give her a bad time about! We had a great turn-out for her party, which is just one testament to how amazing she is. You will not find a person more loving and generous than she.
It was our first of what has proven to be many cook-outs and bonfires. I tell you what, we have done more entertaining at this house in the past 5 months than in the entire previous year living in S, or our previous years living in the trailer. Space can be a very good thing!
It was our first of what has proven to be many cook-outs and bonfires. I tell you what, we have done more entertaining at this house in the past 5 months than in the entire previous year living in S, or our previous years living in the trailer. Space can be a very good thing!
Sophie
She loves to play in the snow...
...dutifully keeps track of Anna...
...generally torments Abby, (with the times that Abby has a bone being Abby's only exception to putting up with her puppy-play)...
...and is growing up into a decent dog. Hopefully this week I'll have time to tell about her amazing coyote story!
...dutifully keeps track of Anna...
...generally torments Abby, (with the times that Abby has a bone being Abby's only exception to putting up with her puppy-play)...
...and is growing up into a decent dog. Hopefully this week I'll have time to tell about her amazing coyote story!
Too quiet
One afternoon I realized that while Andrew and I were working on school, it seemed far too quiet for the other two to be up to any good. So we checked it out, and as it turns out, playing "camping" is a good "too quiet!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)